Tip protector sleeve

Abstract

Assemblies and methods of inserting a delivery catheter assembly into a working channel are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a delivery catheter assembly is disclosed in which a tip protector sleeve is locked onto an elongated catheter sheath and slideable over a length of the elongated catheter sheath between a proximal-stop position and a distal-stop position along the elongated catheter sheath.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A delivery catheter assembly comprising:
 a control device; 
 an elongated catheter sheath having a distal end and a proximal end connected to the control device; 
 a tip protector sleeve locked onto the elongated catheter sheath and slideable over a length of the elongated catheter sheath between a proximal-stop position and a distal-stop position along the elongated catheter sheath while locked onto the elongated catheter sheath; and 
 an interference stop comprising a male interference part fixed to the elongated catheter sheath at a first distance from the distal end of the elongated sheath, and a female interference part; 
 wherein the male interference part interferes with sliding of the female interference part over the elongated sheath such that the interference stop determines the distal-stop position and prevents the tip protector sleeve from sliding off of the distal end of the elongated catheter sheath, and the tip protector sleeve is longer than the first distance such that the tip protector sleeve extends distally beyond the distal end of the elongated catheter sheath when at the distal-stop position. 
 
     
     
       2. The delivery catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tip protector sleeve comprises an elongated shaft and a backstop together functioning as the female interference part. 
     
     
       3. The delivery catheter assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the male interference part comprises a bump fixed to the elongated catheter sheath. 
     
     
       4. The delivery catheter assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the bump comprises a band fixed to and encircling the elongated catheter sheath. 
     
     
       5. The delivery catheter assembly of  claim 4 , wherein a distal end of the band is crimped onto the elongated catheter sheath, and a proximal end of the band is not crimped onto the elongated shaft. 
     
     
       6. The delivery catheter assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the backstop has an inside diameter which is smaller than an outside diameter of the male interference part. 
     
     
       7. The delivery catheter assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a molded bead fixed to a proximal end of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
       8. The delivery catheter of  claim 7 , wherein the molded bead comprises:
 a distal portion surrounding the proximal end of the elongated shaft; 
 a shoulder portion extending proximally of the elongated shaft; and 
 the backstop, wherein the backstop abuts the proximal end of the elongated shaft. 
 
     
     
       9. The delivery catheter assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the tip protector sleeve further comprises an inner shaft fixed to a proximal end of the elongated shaft, and the backstop is a distal end of the inner shaft. 
     
     
       10. The delivery catheter assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an insert disposed within and extending distally beyond the distal end of the elongated catheter sheath, wherein the tip protector sleeve extends distally beyond the insert when at the distal-stop position. 
     
     
       11. The delivery catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tip protector sleeve further comprises a sealing valve.